Is it proper for DPTs to refer to themselves as Doctor?

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Downbytheicu

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Hey, quick question: Is it considered proper or correct for a D.P.T. to refer to themselves as a doctor? I don't mean, "Hi, I'm Dr. Johnson" (which is fine because they have a doctorate), but as someone asking "What do you do for a living?" with the response being, "I'm a doctor." Is that considered normal? Is it proper?
 
Here we go again. There is a mile long thread in the past about this. You might want to look at it before this can of worms is opened again.
 
I agree with truth seeker. This has been written about, over, and over, and over. Please do a search and read of what was written in the past.
 
Downbytheicu said:
but as someone asking "What do you do for a living?" with the response being, "I'm a doctor." Is that considered normal? Is it proper?
Click to expand...

depends on the gender asking 😉
 
Haha, sorry. Thanks for the link. I did a quick search but didn't dig deeply enough. I'll entertain myself with the argument in the thread.
 
I know someone posted the thread about it, but quickly, from my POV, DPT's should say, "Hi, I'm Dr. So and So, your physical therapist." or "I'm a doctor of physical therapy." Not just doctor. 🙂
 
We had a fun discussion about this once at school.

Basically, the prof argued (DPT, PhD - double doc I guess) that he worked just as hard over his decade of education (actually 11 years) as an MD. Maybe he didn't have the skills to perform open heart surgery but he had other skills and assets related to research and rehabilitation that other MDs lacked.

In the end it's just a designation. But you should be proud of what you have accomplished. There is no legal law that forbids a PhD from calling himself doctor. Or a DPT for that matter. After all the university gave you the designation of "Doctor of Physical Therapy" for a reason - you have the skills to afford a doctrate in the field.

I say call yourself doctor. It's not like you're doing it to con patients or secretely perfrom surgery in your basement or something ridiculous. I would say "Hi I'm the doctor who will be rehabilitating you post knee surgery. This is my role...". If they want clarification I'll give it to them. If they want medical details regarding their surgery or drugs, I'll say "dr. so and so is your surgeon and he will better explain that for you".

At all my clinical experiences noone had a problem with the physio calling themselves doctor. Patients who come in for private physiotherapy already know that they are dealing with a Doctor of PT anyway.

If you simply say "Hi I'm the PT" when you're a DPT, it's slightly derogatory to who we are - just a physio, nothing special. Remember you earned the DPT! The program is no longer just an MPT for a reason!

I see nothing wrong with calling yourself doctor! Those who oppose this are usually MDs - afraid that having more "doctors" running around the hospital will take something away from their godly profession.
 
As a side note, I've heard that if you gave the DPT exit exams to graduating MDs they would do much worse than if we took their MSK exams.

This was told by an MD who was lecturing our class once!

In fact, on one of my internships in MSK, the MD did ask the DPTs opinions several times regarding hands-on diagnosis of acute sports injuries (so he could avoid doing expensive imaging if it wasn't necessary) in the ER. And the MD had no problem being corrected by the DPT...of course the MD did introduce the DPT as a "Doctor" to the patient and me as a "student doctor" and not as a "physio" hehehe.
 
mac_kin said:
We had a fun discussion about this once at school.

Basically, the prof argued (DPT, PhD - double doc I guess) that he worked just as hard over his decade of education (actually 11 years) as an MD. Maybe he didn't have the skills to perform open heart surgery but he had other skills and assets related to research and rehabilitation that other MDs lacked.
Unless he took call, worked over 80 hours a week, and suffered through an internship and residency the way we do then, NO he did not work as hard as us physicians. For some reason lots of people want to boil down a physicans' education to what they learned in the classroom and compare their curriculum to ours. Classroom learning is just the first step for us and we typically took much harder courses at the undergraduate level to get to medical school in the first place. Also, I couldn't get my medical education online like you can for a DPT so for anyone to compare it is ridiculous.

In the end it's just a designation. But you should be proud of what you have accomplished. There is no legal law that forbids a PhD from calling himself doctor. Or a DPT for that matter. After all the university gave you the designation of "Doctor of Physical Therapy" for a reason - you have the skills to afford a doctrate in the field.

I say call yourself doctor. It's not like you're doing it to con patients or secretely perfrom surgery in your basement or something ridiculous. I would say "Hi I'm the doctor who will be rehabilitating you post knee surgery. This is my role...". If they want clarification I'll give it to them. If they want medical details regarding their surgery or drugs, I'll say "dr. so and so is your surgeon and he will better explain that for you".
this is misleading - the doctor taking care of the rehabilitation is known as the Physiatrist and is a physician, no matter what degree or how many letters you want to add behind your name you are still the "physical therapist" and of course a very important part of the team to rehab a patient

At all my clinical experiences noone had a problem with the physio calling themselves doctor. Patients who come in for private physiotherapy already know that they are dealing with a Doctor of PT anyway.

If you simply say "Hi I'm the PT" when you're a DPT, it's slightly derogatory to who we are - just a physio, nothing special. Remember you earned the DPT! The program is no longer just an MPT for a reason!
how is that derogatory? I know people who are MD/PhD and don't go around making sure people know they have both degrees, is that derogatory to that group? I think it's derogatory that you're saying you're so much better than the MPT and BSPT trained therapists out there who have years more experience. The reason they moved from MPT to DPT is to directly compete with chiropractors. If I can take a course online to become "doctorally trained" is it really that different than my MSPT?

I see nothing wrong with calling yourself doctor! Those who oppose this are usually MDs - afraid that having more "doctors" running around the hospital will take something away from their godly profession.
I'm not afraid of having more "doctors" running around, I'm afraid of what will happen to the public when they think they're being treated by physicians and really they're getting care from all these midlevels who want to play doctor. If you want to be a physician go to medical school. If not know your role and have the professional courtesy to educate your patients on that role.
Click to expand...

Full Disclosure - I was an MSPT prior to earning a DO and am now in residency.
 
mac_kin said:
As a side note, I've heard that if you gave the DPT exit exams to graduating MDs they would do much worse than if we took their MSK exams.

This was told by an MD who was lecturing our class once! I guess this means it's a fact?

In fact, on one of my internships in MSK, the MD did ask the DPTs opinions several times regarding hands-on diagnosis of acute sports injuries (so he could avoid doing expensive imaging if it wasn't necessary) in the ER. And the MD had no problem being corrected by the DPT...of course the MD did introduce the DPT as a "Doctor" to the patient and me as a "student doctor" and not as a "physio" hehehe.
Click to expand...

Well the whole reason the PT profession exists is because you are experts in rehabilitation so it is expected that you have this knowledge. Again you point to "graduating" MDs meaning people coming out of medical school - just the beginning of our education. If we put your MSK exam skills up against the GI docs, cardiologists, pulmonologists, etc then sure you're going to understand the MSK system and exam better. But if you go head to head with an orthopedic surgeon, physiatrist, or neurologist I guarantee they will be superior.
 
"Unless he took call, worked over 80 hours a week, and suffered through an internship and residency the way we do then, NO he did not work as hard as us physicians. For some reason lots of people want to boil down a physicans' education to what they learned in the classroom and compare their curriculum to ours. Classroom learning is just the first step for us and we typically took much harder courses at the undergraduate level to get to medical school in the first place. Also, I couldn't get my medical education online like you can for a DPT so for anyone to compare it is ridiculous."

"I guess this means it's a fact?"

:laugh:

Sorry just thought that was funny. Ease up a bit and drop the absolute superiority. That's where people are getting the "doctors are scared" feelings from (at least i think).

Anyway on the topic, I will always be looking to refer to myself as "Matt", no matter which profession I decide to pursue and practice. I would like the lighter, more personal feelings that come along with it. If someone needs clarifications, I would be glad to explain.
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9801210

this is an article that covers medical school graduates scores on a MSK questionnaire, interesting. I thought I've seen another that gave a similar test (without medical based questions) to both graduating PTs and MD/DOs but can't find it 🙁

edit: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed

In my limited interaction with physicians I've noticed they enjoy their role at the top of the medical team (rightfully so) and calling myself Dr FNG (eventually) will likely only add tension to PT-MD/DO relationships which could ultimately lead to decreased patient care. So I'm fine with "fng, your PT".
 
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just to clarify, I really enjoy working with PTs, OTs, nursing, rehab psych, RT and being part of a team with them. in my mind the leader of that team, has been and always will be...

the patient.

to address Cronos, if you take a look at all the other mid-levels (nurses, PAs, CRNAs, etc) out there who are trying to practice medicine you'd understand why physicians are so up in arms about people calling themselves doctors and encroaching on our practice in an environment where reimbursement is decreasing while demand, expenses, and malpractice insurance are increasing.
 
Oh no I completely understand the situation and the problems with it. I would definitely agree that some mid-levels take it way too far, to the point where it is completely misleading and problematic. But going about it that way does not make the situation better, only worse. It makes people that do not understand the situation view physicians in a very bad way, especially the general public. It's unfortunate but that's just the way it is. Taking the absolute superiority route is not going to make anyone understanding towards it, just make doctors look scared and paranoid because things can be said in a less demeaning way and should be. Especially when the things being said are not facts.
 
I say call yourself doctor. It's not like you're doing it to con patients or secretely perfrom surgery in your basement or something ridiculous. I would say "Hi I'm the doctor who will be rehabilitating you post knee surgery. This is my role...". If they want clarification I'll give it to them. If they want medical details regarding their surgery or drugs, I'll say "dr. so and so is your surgeon and he will better explain that for you".

You should not be calling yourself doctor in this way. The DPT is an academic degree, which allows you to call yourself Dr. Whatever. But you are still a PT. That is what you hold a license in. You should introduce yourself by saying "Hi. I'm Dr. Lastname, your physical therapist."
 
ya, just stating that that you are a doctor and what you are going to do is inadequate in my opinion. You must state that either you are a doctor of physical therapy or that you are a physical therapist. To do otherwise is misleading.
 
Replying to random comments.

Unless he took call, worked over 80 hours a week, and suffered through an internship and residency the way we do then, NO he did not work as hard as us physicians. For some reason lots of people want to boil down a physicans' education to what they learned in the classroom and compare their curriculum to ours. Classroom learning is just the first step for us and we typically took much harder courses at the undergraduate level to get to medical school in the first place.

At the end of your classroom training you earned your D.O. and became Dr. So-and-So. The rest is your post-didactic training and/or occupational requirements as a physician.

Also, I couldn't get my medical education online like you can for a DPT so for anyone to compare it is ridiculous. ... If I can take a course online to become "doctorally trained" is it really that different than my MSPT?


I agree with you 100% on the online t-"DPT". The lack of regulation and standards have reduced it to a mockery. It belittles the time and effort put forth by the current students/therapists who are earning/have earned their e-DPT.

I think it's derogatory that you're saying you're so much better than the MPT and BSPT trained therapists out there who have years more experience. The reason they moved from MPT to DPT is to directly compete with chiropractors.

Derogatory? Let's think about this for a moment. Before BSPTs there were CPTs... high school graduates with certificates to practice physical therapy. When the BSPTs began to enter the profession the CPTs demanded and were granted equality. The CPTs and BSPTs demanded and were granted equality when the MSPTs joined. And the BSPTs and MSPTs demanded and were granted equality when the DPTs joined the ranks. The CPTs had gone extinct by this point, however, following the logic -- the high school graduate with the certificate is equal to the doctor of physical therapy. That is derogatory. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

If you simply say "Hi I'm the PT" when you're a DPT, it's slightly derogatory to who we are - just a physio, nothing special.

I agree with the broader point you are trying to convey, however, "just a physio, nothing special" is a completely wrong mindset. There is nothing "just a" about being a physiotherapist.

I'm afraid of what will happen to the public when they think they're being treated by physicians and really they're getting care from all these midlevels who want to play doctor. If you want to be a physician go to medical school. If not know your role and have the professional courtesy to educate your patients on that role.

1. The public is not stupid. I've yet to confuse my dentist or optometrist with a physician. A patient has yet to confused me with a physician. I am going to assume that a patient has not confused you with a dentist, therapist, optometrist, or other non-physician doctor in the field of health care.

2. Physiotherapists are not "midlevels" nor do they attempt to practice medicine.

If we put your MSK exam skills up against the GI docs, cardiologists, pulmonologists, etc then sure you're going to understand the MSK system and exam better. But if you go head to head with an orthopedic surgeon, physiatrist, or neurologist I guarantee they will be superior.
You might want to read:

Moore JH, Goss DL, Baxter RE, et al. Clinical diagnostic accuracy and magnetic resonance imaging of patients referred by physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and nonorthopedic providers. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005;35:67-71.

You should not be calling yourself doctor in this way. The DPT is an academic degree, which allows you to call yourself Dr. Whatever. But you are still a PT. That is what you hold a license in. You should introduce yourself by saying "Hi. I'm Dr. Lastname, your physical therapist."

The DPT is a first professional degree. I agree with the introduction matter.
 
This is gone over with in DPT school. You by LAW, can not say, "Im Dr. so-and-so, your physical therapist." The D.P.T. only gives rights to say you have a doctorate in physical therapy. In our clinical skills class, we are taught to say, "Hi, my name is so-and-so, your physical therapist." If you write on ANY documents that you are Dr. so-and-so, you can be sued for fraud or misrepresentation and lose your license. That is what we have been taught in our law and ethics class here at physical therapy school.

Hope that helps!
 
Hey Dan, do you think this may be dependent upon the state you are practicing in? Our program director was talking about this to some of your classmates and said either the "I'm dr. blank, your physical therapist" or "I'm blank. I'm a doctor of physical therapy" will work
 
PharmDan2 said:
This is gone over with in DPT school. You by LAW, can not say, "Im Dr. so-and-so, your physical therapist." The D.P.T. only gives rights to say you have a doctorate in physical therapy. In our clinical skills class, we are taught to say, "Hi, my name is so-and-so, your physical therapist." If you write on ANY documents that you are Dr. so-and-so, you can be sued for fraud or misrepresentation and lose your license. That is what we have been taught in our law and ethics class here at physical therapy school.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

You are correct, DPTErudition. Rules vary by state.
 
Cyres,

re:
Moore JH, Goss DL, Baxter RE, et al. Clinical diagnostic accuracy and magnetic resonance imaging of patients referred by physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and nonorthopedic providers. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005;35:67-71.

Are you sure you want to use a retrospective study that used military trained therapists who are trained to serve at a much higher level and on an entirely different population to back up your point and attempt to generalize this to the rest of the country? This study was so poorly powered that a 78% to 30 something% difference yielded no statistical difference. If you're going to use literature to back up your statements make sure you use something solid.

I've encountered PTs who are pushing the boundaries asking to order imaging studies and read them themselves as well as asking to prescribe medications such as antiinflammatories and even wish to perform injections. This is the practice of medicine and should not be performed by anyone other than physicians for obvious reasons.

You are correct that at the end of my training I received my DO and became doctor so and so. However, to think that upon receiving my degree I was fully qualified to provide care in any specialty is ridiculous. That's why we all do residency and why it's required for board certfication. It is a continued form of education. When you finish your entry-level DPT and pass your NPTE you are granted full practice rights in your field without any restrictions. That does not happen for physicians. Residency isn't considered post-didactic or an occupational requirement, it's our education.

The only reason I contribute to these discussions is because I have been in both places. I've been the therapist and now I'm learning to be the physician. If you wish to discount my opinion or my experience that is fine with me. I have no reason to waste my time trying to help you guys understand a different point of view which you seem interested in but then fire back against.
 
Thanks Elbrus, there are so many laws regarding PT that do vary by state that it only made sense this particular issue be one of them. And Jay I know I always appreciate the insight and perspective you bring to the forum. In fact, I'm still anxiously awaiting your reply on my post I put up in march titled the dpt and physiatrist(pm&r). You were going to reply but were busy at the time.
 
DPTErudition said:
Hey Dan, do you think this may be dependent upon the state you are practicing in? Our program director was talking about this to some of your classmates and said either the "I'm dr. blank, your physical therapist" or "I'm blank. I'm a doctor of physical therapy" will work
Click to expand...


Doctor of Physical Therapy is an EDUCATIONAL degree. To say I am a doctor of physical therapy is improper (from what we learn in grad school). Its like someone with a B.S. in business saying "Hi, im a bachelor of science in business." Again, maybe you guys learn something different in your states/schools, but the D.P.T. is an education degree ONLY (according to our school).
 
DOctorJay said:
I've encountered PTs who are pushing the boundaries asking to order imaging studies and read them themselves as well as asking to prescribe medications such as antiinflammatories and even wish to perform injections. This is the practice of medicine and should not be performed by anyone other than physicians for obvious reasons.
Click to expand...

Perform injections? Who the heck was this physical therapist?? Never heard that one.

Your input, as well as anyone else on this forum, is always welcome (just keep it constructive everyone!).

PharmDan2 said:
Doctor of Physical Therapy is an EDUCATIONAL degree. To say I am a doctor of physical therapy is improper (from what we learn in grad school). Its like someone with a B.S. in business saying "Hi, im a bachelor of science in business." Again, maybe you guys learn something different in your states/schools, but the D.P.T. is an education degree ONLY (according to our school).
Click to expand...

I was taught the DPT as a clinical degree. That's why we go through clinicals, right? If we did everything in the classroom, then I would probably be more inclined to agree with you.

I don't like to get caught up in all the jargon (although my dad is a physician and actually enjoys calling me a doctor🙂. I think clinical skills and reasoning trump any designation. I know plenty of MDs who don't respect the skills of other MDs (even through all the residencies and specialization). Same goes with PTs. What matters most is the trust and respect you get from your patients, your peers, and other health care providers. Doctor or not, if you're not doing this, then you're not doing your job.
 
DOctorJay said:
Cyres,

re:
Moore JH, Goss DL, Baxter RE, et al. Clinical diagnostic accuracy and magnetic resonance imaging of patients referred by physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and nonorthopedic providers. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005;35:67-71.

Are you sure you want to use a retrospective study that used military trained therapists who are trained to serve at a much higher level and on an entirely different population to back up your point and attempt to generalize this to the rest of the country? This study was so poorly powered that a 78% to 30 something% difference yielded no statistical difference. If you're going to use literature to back up your statements make sure you use something solid.

I've encountered PTs who are pushing the boundaries asking to order imaging studies and read them themselves as well as asking to prescribe medications such as antiinflammatories and even wish to perform injections. This is the practice of medicine and should not be performed by anyone other than physicians for obvious reasons.

You are correct that at the end of my training I received my DO and became doctor so and so. However, to think that upon receiving my degree I was fully qualified to provide care in any specialty is ridiculous. That's why we all do residency and why it's required for board certfication. It is a continued form of education. When you finish your entry-level DPT and pass your NPTE you are granted full practice rights in your field without any restrictions. That does not happen for physicians. Residency isn't considered post-didactic or an occupational requirement, it's our education.

The only reason I contribute to these discussions is because I have been in both places. I've been the therapist and now I'm learning to be the physician. If you wish to discount my opinion or my experience that is fine with me. I have no reason to waste my time trying to help you guys understand a different point of view which you seem interested in but then fire back against.
Click to expand...

way to use your evidence based medicine skills. 🙂
 
Dr. Jay,

Are you sure you want to use a retrospective study that used military trained therapists who are trained to serve at a much higher level and on an entirely different population to back up your point and attempt to generalize this to the rest of the country? This study was so poorly powered that a 78% to 30 something% difference yielded no statistical difference. If you're going to use literature to back up your statements make sure you use something solid.

I was aware of the differences when posting the study. While trained to serve at a higher level the difference in training military therapists receive vs. civilian therapists amounts to a two-week course at Army-Baylor with the focus primarily on the prescription privileges they enjoy (at least this was what the recruiter conveyed to me.)

Regarding the power, I think you misread the findings:
"Analysis on agreement between clinical diagnosis and MRI findings produced a CDA of 74.5% (108/145) for PTs, 80.8% (139/172) for OSs, and 35.4% (86/243) for NOPs. There was a significant difference in CDA between PTs and NOPs (P<.001), and between OSs and NOPs (P<.001). There was no difference in CDA between PTs and OSs (P>.05). ... Clinical diagnostic accuracy by PTs and OSs on patients with musculoskeletal injuries was significantly greater than for NOPs, with no difference noted between PTs and OSs."

I'll grant you the external validity issue of population differences... but an MSK exam is and MSK exam. You asserted a guarantee that therapists' MSK evaluation skills are inferior to an orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists or neurologists. I provided literature that suggests otherwise, at least in regards to the orthopedic surgeon. I'm sure there are other readily available studies out there which provide evidence to the contrary. A civilian study would be interesting if unlikely/impossible.

I've encountered PTs who are pushing the boundaries asking to order imaging studies and read them themselves as well as asking to prescribe medications such as antiinflammatories and even wish to perform injections. This is the practice of medicine and should not be performed by anyone other than physicians for obvious reasons.

Ordering imaging is already within the scope of practice of military therapist and civilian therapists in Wisconsin (there may be other states as well). Interpreting said images is not and should not be within the therapist's scope of practice. Limited prescription rights are, again, already within the scope of military therapists. Conjecture on the appropriateness in the civilian sector could be interesting, but it is ultimately a moot point. I would, however, press for DME to be within the therapist's scope of practice. Proposing injections... as had been said that's a new one and a position that is way off base (unless they were alluding to intramuscular EMG).

You are correct that at the end of my training I received my DO and became doctor so and so. However, to think that upon receiving my degree I was fully qualified to provide care in any specialty is ridiculous. That's why we all do residency and why it's required for board certfication. It is a continued form of education. When you finish your entry-level DPT and pass your NPTE you are granted full practice rights in your field without any restrictions. That does not happen for physicians. Residency isn't considered post-didactic or an occupational requirement, it's our education.

The only reason I contribute to these discussions is because I have been in both places. I've been the therapist and now I'm learning to be the physician. If you wish to discount my opinion or my experience that is fine with me. I have no reason to waste my time trying to help you guys understand a different point of view which you seem interested in but then fire back against.

My grandfather was a M.D., I am familiar with the training. The point I was attempting to convey was (and is) that once the degree is earned you have the right to the title. Period. If you had not continued into internship/residency or if I had not sat for the NPTE, we would both still be Dr. So-and-so (and ludicrous stupid persons) even if we were not practicing.

I have two friends one just earned his Ph.D in chemistry the other has a year or so left for a Ph.D. in biology. I have no right to pass judgment over the validity of their education. By stressing the post-didactic requirements and the purported difference in the difficultly/quality of undergraduate courses of yours (vs. a therapist's) and the online course option of the t-DPT, you were questioning the merit of my education (and those of every e-DPT student and therapist on this board). While I appreciate a physician's perspective, I'll not lurk the forum docilely on that matter.
___________________________________________________________

PharmDan:

All degrees are academic/educational. The DPT degree is also a first professional, terminal, and clinical degree.

Regarding your professor's assertions... thanks to Google and two minutes of effort I give you Florida Statue 817.567.


http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/in...atute&Search_String=dr.&URL=CH0817/Sec567.HTM

You would not be violating the law. You WOULD be if attempting to mislead a patient into believing you were a health care professional other than a physiotherapist. Smile and nod if that's what it takes to pass the class though.
 
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Cronos said:
Anyway on the topic, I will always be looking to refer to myself as "Matt", no matter which profession I decide to pursue and practice. I would like the lighter, more personal feelings that come along with it.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better. 🙂
 
I have never heard a Physical Therapist who has a DPT refer to themselves as Doctor. I have been under the impression that this title is reserved for MD's and PhD's. To qualify my background, I have worked/volunteered/observed physical therapy for about 2000 hours in two hospitals, one sub-acute rehab center, and 3 outpatient physical therapy clinics. In addition, my father is a physical therapist who has been practicing for 35 years and he says that it is not appropriate for a PT with a DPT to refer to them self as a Doctor.
 
Why is it so hard for DPTs to introduce themselves to the patients as "Hi, Mr xxxxx, my name is yyyyy and I am going to be your PT today"? That's what I would refer myself as.
 
If you go to a psychologist with a PsyD, would they introduce themselves as Dr. so and so? Most likely. So what is the difference between the clinical doctorate in Psychology and the DPT and the use of "Dr"?
In my opinion if I'm in an outpatient ortho clinic without MDs, then I can/would introduce myself as "Dr. so and so, your PT". If i'm in an academic setting, I would expect to be called Dr. so and so by my students. But if I'm in a hospital inpatient acute care or other setting with MDs then I wouldn't use Dr. so and so.
 
I agree that if there are MD's within the facility PT's shouldn't call themselves Dr. without specifying their physical therapists. Other than that, everyone of my professors that has their PhD. called themselves Dr... such as my english professor that has a PhD in poetry? I understand that is an academic setting but come on earning a DPT is not a joke and deserves to be recognized for what it is... a doctorate.
 
PTs shouldn't fear using the title provided it won't lead to confusion with patients or tension with co-workers (so probably avoid using it in a hospital setting). Dentists and chiropractors use it, and there's no issues (generally) with them doing so. Common sense suggests that having an earned title of higher learning draws more public respect, and thus increased likelihood that your patients will carry out their plan of treatment, which is crucial to their well-being.

I personally like a down-to-earth approach with people, so I may self-refer by my first name in the near-term, although honestly if I think I'll be taken more seriously by the patient if I use the title, then I'll probably do so to increase the likelihood they'll take advice seriously.
 
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My opinion is that it is morally and socially acceptable to call yourself doctor, as it is implicated in the name of your degree that you have reached this status. Of course, mentioning that you are a physical therapist will come in handy, but this step seems unequivocally arbitrary given that the patient will know that they are seeing a PT a vast majority of the time. The field is moving in the direction of receiving more respect, and a major step in receiving the due respect is recognizing the degree for what it is - a DOCTORATE.
 
Cyres said:
Dr. Jay,
PharmDan:

All degrees are academic/educational. The DPT degree is also a first professional, terminal, and clinical degree.

Regarding your professor's assertions... thanks to Google and two minutes of effort I give you Florida Statue 817.567.


http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/in...atute&Search_String=dr.&URL=CH0817/Sec567.HTM

You would not be violating the law. You WOULD be if attempting to mislead a patient into believing you were a health care professional other than a physiotherapist. Smile and nod if that's what it takes to pass the class though.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where it says anything in 817.567 about what im talking about. The very nature of calling yourself Doctor so and so is misleading, and if a patient EVER becomes confused and assumes that we are their physician, the it is on US to prove otherwise. Go ahead an call yourself Dr. so-and-so, but dont be upset when you are sued or lose your license.

P.S. : My teacher that told me this was APTA's speaker of the house, not just some random PT.
 
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[APTA] Workforce projections for physical therapy (to 2037)
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Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
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  • Poll Poll
When are you taking the NPTE and How do you plan to study for it? +
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3K
FunkyMonkeyTom
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As an employer, will you turn down a PT based on where they went to PT school? OR as long as they pass boards does it just come down to the person?
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2K
kdubz7w7
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